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Schools and Institutions

A complex of over 60 buildings, Beelitz-Heilstatten began life as a sanatorium in 1898. By World War I, however, it became a military hospital for the Imperial German Army, and would have the dubious distinction of treating a young Adolph Hitler in October and November of 1916 when wounded during the Battle of the Somme.

When this structure was built, it was originally a church in another community. When the school that was originally here burned down, this structure was moved to take its place. Grades 1 - 8 attended classes here with an average of 32 children attending at any given time.

In 1965, with the construction of two new schools serving the area, this one was closed and auctioned off to one of its former pupils.

Continuing along with our day of exploration, I spotted this gem immediately after having made a random decision to turn. Large birds of prey circled me overhead, presumably because I was intruding on what they considered to be their territory. They flew their holding pattern throughout the duration of my brief visit, but offered no resistance.

In the late 1880's, overcrowding at Minnesota's two main psychiatric facilities prompted the state to begin looking at the construction of a third. The legislature passed a bill allocating $24,280 for the purchase of 596 acres of land, and a further $70,000 for construction of the required buildings.

Information is a little scant on this location, but I have found reference to a facility being here as early as January 18, 1872.

100 acres of land were purchased and cleared, on which were grown potatoes, hay, oats, corn and various other vegetables as well as horses, cattle and other livestock. Very few tax dollars were used in its operation or upkeep as it became largely self-sufficient.

As a result of the constant lobbying and persistence of Dorothea Lynde Dix, a nurse advocating for better care of the mentally ill, the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum was opened on August 18, 1876. A tract of land, 743 acres in size, was purchased in 1871 and 1872, and construction began on the new 673,706 square foot facility.

On October 23, 1829, Richmond County purchased the property from Stephen Martino for $3,000. The Richmond County Poor Farm opened as a home for the sick, homeless, alcoholics, unwanted children and the elderly. When Staten Island became part of New York City in 1898, the farm would be renamed the New York City Farm Colony.

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